Bloom in Bloomington

Mission

Bloom in Bloomington strives to support and grow a more diverse, and accessible workplace for our community by matchmaking young people with employers in local government, nonprofit, and private sectors.

Vision

Bloom in Bloomington dreams of a world where employment disparities are eliminated, our workforce reflects the diversity of the community and young people of all identities can feel seen by their government and be empowered to reach their full potential.

Core values

• We draw on the insights and opinions of people with different backgrounds and perspectives to inform our work.
• Equity, inclusion and belonging principles are at the forefront of what we do.
• We seek out partnerships with employers who are aligned with our mission and vision.
• The lives and voices of young people matter in the ways we shape Bloom in Bloomington.
• We serve as the catalyst that works to eliminate employment disparities in our community.
• Our work is guided by an urgency to create brilliant results and a better future for our young people.

Program overview

Bloom in Bloomington is a summer youth workforce development program that matches young people ages 16 – 24 with summer internship experiences within the city of Bloomington. The program aims to provide young people with opportunities to explore career paths from a wide variety of employers, build valuable work experience, and develop leadership skills. 

The City of Bloomington recruits both interns and employers and matches them based on interests for an 8 or 12-week summer internship. Interns are attending school or living in Bloomington and typically still exploring their career options. Employers are private, non-profit, or government organizations with offices based in Bloomington that are committed to working with the community, supporting young people, and building Bloomington’s future talent pipeline. Employers pay the interns directly as temporary employees of their organization. The City of Bloomington provides programming and support to interns throughout the summer.  

Bloom in Bloomington internship program

Young Adult Internship

• May 26, 2025 - August 15, 2025
• This 12-week paid internship is designed for young people aged 18 – 24 who are not in high school but live in and/or attend college in the City of Bloomington.
• Two three-hour job preparedness orientation sessions will be held at Bloomington Civic Plaza prior to the start of the internships the week of May 19th. 
• $20/hr

High School Internship

• June 23, 2025 - August 15, 2025
• This 8-week internship is designed for young people aged 16+ enrolled in a high school in the City of Bloomington. 
• Two three-hour job preparedness orientation sessions will be held at Bloomington Civic Plaza prior to the start of the internships the week of May 19th. 
• The high school internship includes a required Friday Leadership Institute that provides personal and professional development.  
• $15/hr

Recruitment considerations

Additional considerations are given to applicants who qualify for free or reduced lunch; and will be the first in their family to complete high school or college at the time of application.

Key dates

• Employer applications open, October 1 – January 15, 2025. Employer applications are reviewed as they are received.  
• Intern applications open, January 21 – March 14, 2025  
• Intern application review, March 17 – March 31, 2025
• Intern interviews, April 1 – April 11, 2025
• Matching and placements, April 14 – 30, 2025
• Young Adult Internship start date, May 26, 2025
• High School Internship start date, June 23, 2025
• Graduation Day, August 15, 2025

Orientations and Leadership Academy Descriptions

Interns will attend career readiness training prior to the start of their internships. They will learn skills such as professional etiquette, resume building, and how to use basic office software.

High school interns are expected to attend the Leadership Academy on Fridays during their internship program. The Leadership Academy provides skill building opportunities such as public speaking, networking, and racial equity training. Employers are expected to pay their interns for participation as this is a professional readiness program.

Graduation Ceremony

A graduation ceremony will be held the evening of the last day of the internship on August 15th. Employers, supervisors, family, friends, and all of the interns are invited to attend. The ceremony will be held at Bloomington Civic Plaza (1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN 55431).

Intern applications will be accepted from January 21 through March 14, 2025. City of Bloomington staff will review qualified applicants, conduct first round interviews with candidates, facilitate introductory meetings with employers, and coordinate matching the interns with supervisors. Interns will have initial orientations prior to the start of their internships to learn professional etiquette skills such as requesting time off, dress code, appropriate use of cell phones, and basic software skills.

• Apply to host an Bloom in Bloomington intern at your company - Employer Application. 
• Intern applications will be open January 21, 2025 through March 14, 2025

2025 Employers

• Larkin Hoffman 
• Seagate
• TKDA
• Walser Automotive 
• Wilderness Inquiry
• Bloomington Public Schools
• City of Bloomington - Building and Inspection
• City of Bloomington - City Clerk
• City of Bloomington - Communications
• City of Bloomington - Housing and Redevelopment Authority
• City of Bloomington - Information Technology 
• City of Bloomington - Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• City of Bloomington - Port Authority (Economic Development) 
• City of Bloomington - Public Works (Administration and Solid Waste)
• City of Bloomington - Purchasing (Financial services)
   

2024 Employers 

• Larkin Hoffman – Law 
• Mall of America – Leisure & Hospitality Sector 
• Artistry - Non-profit/Arts
• City of Bloomington – Communications Division 
• City of Bloomington – Public Works 
• City of Bloomington – Housing and Redevelopment Authority
• City of Bloomington - Assessing Division
• City of Bloomington – Office of Racial Equity Inclusion and Belonging 
• City of Bloomington – Police Department 
• City of Bloomington - Port Authority
• City of Bloomington - Sustainability